Basque Architecture Institute Wall

The City Council of Donostia–San Sebastián needed a clear, accessible, and attractive way to show citizens the three final proposals for the future urban transformation of the Playas de Vías de Easo area: new residential buildings, a sports center, green areas, and the reorganization of the railway space.

The challenge was twofold: on the one hand, to make complex urban projects understandable; on the other, to encourage citizen participation for a whole month in the old fire station, which had been converted into a temporary exhibition space.

The experience had to function autonomously, be intuitive for any visitor, and allow them to explore each proposal in depth without the need for continuous technical assistance.

We developed a central interactive screen where visitors could explore, at their own pace, each of the finalist architectural proposals through a complete 3D reconstruction of the planned new neighborhood.

The application allowed users to:

Examine each proposal in 3D, freely navigating through buildings, green areas, access points, and facilities.

View a before-and-after comparison, helping to visually understand the urban impact.

Activate a solar simulation, showing how light would fall on different streets, squares, or buildings throughout the day.

Read a clear and concise explanation of each urban model so that any citizen could understand it without technical jargon.

All content was designed with a clean, accessible interface intended for constant use by hundreds of daily visitors throughout the month.

The installation became the focal point of the municipal exhibition, attracting a wide range of visitors: neighbors, associations, architects, curious citizens, and the local press.

Notable results:

More than 657 interactions on the screen during the month of the exhibition.

An average of 16 minutes per visit, demonstrating a high level of interest.

Significant increase in understanding of the project: 87% of visitors said they understood the proposals better thanks to the 3D visualization and comparison.

The solar simulation was one of the most highly rated features, considered key to understanding the real feel of the future spaces.

The City Council highlighted the experience as a “decisive tool for bringing urban planning closer to citizens.”

The end result was a lively, educational, and interactive exhibition that allowed Donostia to present its urban future in a transparent, visual, and accessible way for everyone.